TAI Hürkuş explained

The TAI Hürkuş (Free Bird)[1] is a tandem two-seat, low-wing, single-engine, turboprop aircraft being produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) as a trainer and ground attack aircraft for the Turkish Armed Forces.[2] [3] [4]

The aircraft is named after Vecihi Hürkuş, a World War I and Turkish Independence War veteran pilot, a Turkish aviation pioneer and the first Turkish airplane manufacturer.[5]

Design and development

The TAI Hürkuş Development Program started with an agreement signed between Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (Savunma Sanayii Müsteşarlığı (SSM)) and TAI in March 2006. Under the agreement the company will design, manufacture and complete the civil certification the aircraft to European Aviation Safety Agency CS 23 standards.[6]

By June 2012 the Hürkuş program had consumed one million man-hours with the work of 140 engineers. About a quarter of the Turkish engineers who have worked on Hürkuş are female, as well as two of the three project heads.[7] [8] [9]

The Hürkuş will be equipped for day and night flying as well as basic pilot training, instrument flying, navigation training, weapons and formation training. The aircraft will have good visibility from both cockpits with a 50 degree down-view angle from the rear cockpit, cabin pressurization (nominal 4.16 psid), Martin-Baker Mk T-16 N 0/0 ejection seats, an onboard oxygen generation system (OBOGS), an Environmental Control System (Vapor Cycle Cooling), an anti-G system, high shock absorbing landing gear for training missions, and Hands On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS). Microtecnica of Turin, Italy has been selected to provide the aircraft's environmental control system.[10] The Hürkuş has been designed for a 35-year service life.[11]

The Hürkuş development program has been subject to delays. In 2007 it was forecast that the first prototype would fly in late-2009 with first delivery, upon completion of the certification process, forecast for 2011. On 27 June 2012, the Hürkuş was officially rolled out at a ceremony held at TAI's Kazan premises. The forecast date for the first flight was then delayed until later in 2012 and actually occurred on 29 August 2013 when the aircraft flew from the Ankara Akıncı Air Base on a 33-minute flight.[12] [13] [14]

The Turkish government has indicated that the aircraft is expected to attract export sales, possibly from Middle Eastern countries, African countries or countries with limited air force budgets.[8] [15] [16] [17] According to a news report from CNN Türk, Australia and Sweden are interested in the aircraft.[7]

In 2016, the Hürkuş-A trainer aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)[18]

The Turkish Army has an order for 15 Hürkuş-B aircraft plus an option for 40 more. Deliveries are scheduled for mid 2017

In February 2017, photos were released by the Turkish MoD showing the prototype for armed version, the Hürkuş-C.[19]

TAI developed Hürkuş 2, which is modified, lighter and better version of Hürkuş aircraft. The first prototypes are on the assembly line and are expected to appear in 2025 and make their first flight. Deliveries are expected to begin soon after, in the same year.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55hQ7NRh6-Y

Variants

Hürkuş-A
  • Basic version which has been certified with EASA according to CS-23 requirements. It is intended for the civilian market.[20] [21]
  • In 2016, the Hürkuş-A trainer aircraft was awarded a CS-23 Validation Type Certificate by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and an Aircraft Type Certificate by the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
    Hürkuş-B
  • Advanced version with integrated avionics (including HUD, MFDs, and Mission Computer).[22] Cockpit avionics layout is similar to F-16 and F-35 fighters.[23] The Turkish Army has an order for 15 aircraft plus an option for 40 more. Deliveries are scheduled for mid 2017.[20]
    Hürkuş-C
  • An armed version for the close air support role in addition to pilot training missions, will have a maximum weapons load of 3,300lb (1,500kg) and also carry a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor. It will be capable of operating from unprepared runways. The Turkish Army has expressed interest in using the aircraft in counter-terrorism environments and is expected to attract export orders. The main advantage will be to lower the cost of air power, especially in low-intensity combat theatres where anti-air warfare threats are minimal.[20] [24] [25]
  • In February 2017, photos were released by the Turkish MoD, showing the Hürkuş-C prototype carrying Roketsan UMTAS anti-tank guided missiles, Roketsan Cirit laser-guided rockets, an electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) pod (likely the Aselsan Common Aperture Targeting System or CATS), and external fuel tanks.
  • The Turkish Armed Forces are scheduled to receive deliveries in 2018.

    On 7 April 2017, a Hürkuş-C fired a Roketsan L-UMTAS anti-tank missile that successfully hit the target on the ground.[26]

    Coast Guard version
  • TAI plans to offer another version of the Hürkuş to support the Turkish Coast Guard's maritime patrol operations. The aircraft's rear seat would be occupied by an operator for a FLIR sensor using an ASELSAN FLIR system.[20] [27]
    Hürkuş-C UAS
  • An unmanned version of the Hurkus-C Counter-Insurgency Aircraft being developed for the Turkish Armed Forces.[28]

    Operators

    Current operators

    Libya

    Future operators

    External links

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Turkey grounds T-37 fleet for safety checks . Flightglobal.com . 2012-02-08 . 2013-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120428022616/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/turkey-grounds-t-37-fleet-for-safety-checks-367952/ . 2012-04-28 . live .
    2. Web site: İşte Hürkuş. 22 August 2010. Hürriyet – Doğan Yayın Holding. 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100330083143/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/14221260.asp. 30 March 2010. live.
    3. Web site: TAI'S Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft(Hurkis) To be Displayed at 47th Paris Airshow . 22 August 2010 . . 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722123743/http://www.tai.com.tr/news.aspx?contentDefID=63 . July 22, 2011 .
    4. Web site: Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft (HÜRKUŞ) Development Program. 22 August 2010. Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. February 2010. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722082702/http://www.ssm.gov.tr/home/projects/air/Aircraft/Sayfalar/HURKUS.aspx. 22 July 2011.
    5. Web site: Aviation Week – Show News – Turkey's New Trainer Gets Old Name: Hurkis . 22 August 2010 . . June 2007 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110722124028/http://www.tai.com.tr/press.aspx?contentDefID=35 . July 22, 2011 .
    6. Web site: Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer Aircraft – Hurkis . 22 August 2010 . . 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091228060742/http://www.tai.com.tr/prog.aspx?contentDefID=6 . December 28, 2009 .
    7. Web site: Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri . YouTube . 2012-07-15 . 2013-01-25.
    8. Web site: Milliyet – İlk yerli uçak Hürkuş 1 milyon saatte tasarlandı . Ekonomi.milliyet.com.tr . 2012-06-27 . 2013-01-24.
    9. Web site: Hürkuş'un kadın mühendisleri . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-25 . https://archive.today/20130219121558/http://kokpit.aero/H%C3%BCrku%C5%9Fun%20kad%C4%B1n%20m%C3%BChendisleri?filter_name=h%C3%BCrku%C5%9F . 2013-02-19 . dead .
    10. Web site: Microtecnica selected to equip Turkey's Hurkus trainer. 22 August 2010. Hoyle. Craig. June 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100609060155/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/04/342815/microtecnica-selected-to-equip-turkeys-hurkus-trainer.html. 9 June 2010. live.
    11. Web site: Türkiye'nin uçağı Hürkuş . YouTube . 2013-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170112184959/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS-kl61663s . 2017-01-12 . live .
    12. Web site: Turkish Primary and Basic Trainer "Hürkuş" Rolls Out – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc . Tai.com.tr . 2013-01-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121125073850/http://www.tai.com.tr/en/basin-bultenleri/turkish-primary-and-basic-trainer-hurkus-was-rolled-out . 2012-11-25 .
    13. Web site: HÜRKUŞ, ilk uçuşunu yaptı . ZAMAN . 2013-08-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130831035126/http://zaman.com.tr/gundem_hurkus-ilk-ucusunu-yapti_2126251.html . 2013-08-31 .
    14. Web site: Niles . Russ . Turkish Hurkus Military Trainer Flies – AVweb flash Article . Avweb . 2013-08-29 . 2013-09-02.
    15. Web site: Hürkuş'un farklı detayları . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130911010051/http://kokpit.aero/index.php?route=image%2Fimage_gallery&image_gallery_id=42&page=9 . 2013-09-11 . live .
    16. Web site: TAI Hurkus nears first flight and orders . Flightglobal.com . 2013-05-13 . 2013-06-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130627135912/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/tai-hurkus-nears-first-flight-and-orders-385663/ . 2013-06-27 . live .
    17. Web site: Turkey to open contract negotiations with TAI for the serial production of the Hürkus Trainer Aircraft . January 4, 2014 . January 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140108032109/http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation/january-2014-global-news-worldwide-world-international-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-defence-/971-turkey-to-open-contract-negotiations-with-tai-for-the-serial-production-of-the-huerkus-trainer-aircraft.html . January 8, 2014 . live .
    18. Web site: Farnborough 2016: Turkey's Hurkus trainer receives type certification IHS Jane's 360. www.janes.com. 2017-02-20. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170221105353/http://www.janes.com/article/62324/farnborough-2016-turkey-s-hurkus-trainer-receives-type-certification. 2017-02-21.
    19. Web site: Turkish Aerospace Industries reveals Hürkuş-C close air support aircraft. quwa.org. en-US. 2017-02-20. 2017-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218092441/http://quwa.org/2017/02/17/turkish-aerospace-industries-reveals-hurkus-c-close-air-support-aircraft/. 2017-02-18. live.
    20. Web site: PICTURE: TAI rolls out Turkey's first Hurkus trainer. 2 July 2012. flightglobal.com. 14 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160827103534/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/picture-tai-rolls-out-turkeys-first-hurkus-trainer-373621/. 27 August 2016. live.
    21. Web site: EASA Awards TAI with Design Organization Certificate – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc . Tai.com.tr . 2013-01-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121125074225/http://www.tai.com.tr/en/basin-bultenleri/easa-awards-tai-with-design-organization-certificate . 2012-11-25 .
    22. Web site: HURKUS – Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc . Tai.com.tr . 2013-01-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121125073548/https://www.tai.com.tr/en/project/hurkus . 2012-11-25 .
    23. Web site: Hürkuş'un farklı detayları . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130910210907/http://kokpit.aero/index.php?route=image%2Fimage_gallery&image_gallery_id=42&page=5 . 2013-09-10 . live .
    24. Web site: Hürkuş siparişi SSİK toplantısında gündeme geliyor . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130103061755/http://kokpit.aero/hurkus-siparis-bekliyor . 2013-01-03 . live .
    25. Web site: Hürkuş'un farklı detayları . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130911010051/http://kokpit.aero/index.php?route=image%2Fimage_gallery&image_gallery_id=42&page=9 . 2013-09-11 . live .
    26. Web site: HÜRKUŞ İlk Atışını LUMTAS Füzesiyle Gerçekleştirdi. Milli Savunma. 9 April 2017. YouTube. 11 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170412062753/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Sc8Dhjlqc. 12 April 2017. live.
    27. Web site: Hürkuş'un farklı detayları . Kokpit.aero . 2013-01-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130910213324/http://kokpit.aero/index.php?route=image%2Fimage_gallery&image_gallery_id=42&page=10 . 2013-09-10 . live .
    28. Web site: Hürkuş insansız uçacak. takvim.com.tr. 27 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161127153122/http://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2016/10/20/hurkus-insansiz-ucacak. 27 November 2016. live.
    29. Web site: 2024-04-18 . SSB'den 40 adet HÜRKUŞ-B siparişi: Mayıs 2025'e envanter SavunmaSanayiST . 2024-04-19 . tr.
    30. Web site: Libya apparently orders Hurkus aircraft . 6 June 2022 . 17 June 2022 . defenceWeb.
    31. Web site: 2023-05-24 . TUSAŞ hangi ülkelere kaç adet hava aracı teslim etti? . 2023-05-24 . tr.
    32. Web site: 2023-05-24 . TUSAŞ hangi ülkelere kaç adet hava aracı teslim etti? . 2023-05-24 . tr.
    33. Web site: Embraer . In association with . 2024 World Air Forces directory . 2024-05-27 . Flight Global . en.
    34. Web site: Jandarma Genel Komutanlığı 2023 Yılı Faaliyet Raporu Yayınlandı. . 2024-05-27 . www.jandarma.gov.tr.

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